40 Myrmidons (1/2)

Shirone the Maiden of Swords

The carriage rocked us forward.

The carriage was given to us by Ekaras. A hippogriff is pulling that carriage.

It would have been nice if we could have flown, but there were more people in the carriage. It is impossible to carry this many people in a hippogriff.

Therefore, we had no choice but to go overland.

The carriage was provided by the Kingdom of Velos and is quite luxurious. The windows are large, the view outside is easy to see. The seats are also soft and fluffy.

Kyouka-san, Kaya-san, and Regina are sitting on that seat.

There were seven of us in total. Me, Kyoka-san, Kaya-san, Omiros, and Regina. And Ethigos and Daigan.

Pulsis is not here. He went back to Argoa first because he had some business to attend to.

For that reason, Kyouka-san is in a bit of a good mood.

After the ball was over, Parsis felt sick in a circle. His eyes glazed over and he looked at us ladies, especially Regina, as if he were licking them teasingly. And he's breathing hard and looks like a dog in a constant state of excitement. I feel bad for Parsis, but I didn't want to look at her too much like Kyouka did.

As for why Parsis was like that, whatever it was, she was enchanted by the white silver witch who came with Kuroki. I don't know why she cast a spell on Parsis. But I guess we'll find out sooner or later.

Well, that's why he's gone anyway.

And not to say he's a replacement, but Ethigos and Daigun came along.

Why are these two there, first of all, Ethigos, but they cried out to let me accompany them because they might be attacked by the ogre again.

I don't know how they got back to Velos from that forest. As we were leaving Velos, he suddenly appeared in front of the carriage and got down on his knees.

The ogre that controlled Ethigos is called Kuzig, and he is the ruler of the blue forest that spreads throughout this area. Kujig is said to live in the Castle of Sweets in the Blue Forest.

She might attack again, so it would be better to be on guard.

And Daigan was asked to take her back because the kingdom of Velos has difficulty keeping a dangerous werewolf alive in prison, so they had no choice but to bring her back.

That Daegan is tied up in multiple layers of chains and rolled into a luggage compartment at the back of the carriage. Ethigos, by the way, is the king.

And it's not just Daegan who is tied up, but Regina is also tied up.

I don't want to be too rough with them, but they're a good source of information. It would be a shame to let go of them as they are.

Fortunately for us, Regena is not very talkative. She's not going to tell us anything, but she keeps telling us more and more about what happened to Kroki in Nargol, even though she says she has nothing to tell us. So I'm going to keep capturing him like this for a bit longer.

As Kaya predicted, it seems that it was Kuroki who saved Regina. If it wasn't for Kuroki, Regena would have been badly hurt by the goblins.

For that reason, Regena seems to be deeply grateful to Kuroki.

However, perhaps because she was saved, Regena talks about Kroki in a beautiful way.

She says that the Kuroki in Regena's mind is kinder, cooler, and stronger than anyone else in the world.

When she talks about Kroki, Regena is enthralled and looks like a damsel in distress.

Especially when Kroki asks, ”Isn't your job too hard? And the look on Regina's face as she talks about the time she touched Regina's hand is enough to make it embarrassing for me to watch from the side.

I wonder how much Kroki has been beautified.

Kroki is actually quite pathetic and uncool, and on top of that he's quite naughty.

The only thing I feel sorry for is Omiros.

He was just with us, and even Omiros was seen as an enemy.

It must be hard to be hated by someone you like.

Moreover, that person would praise other men in front of him. It's hard to watch.

Omiros wants to bring Regina back to Argoa. That's why Kroki is an obstacle for Omiros.

But if Omiros tries to argue with him in the slightest, he'll say, ”Your husband is so much nicer than Omiros, he's so much nicer than Omiros! And Regena says angrily.

Omiros becomes dispirited when he is told. The state of affairs is pitiful.

Omiros has always been worried about Regena. That's why it's okay to be a little kinder to him, isn't it?

And why is it that such an overlap between Omiros's appearance and the old Kroki's?

A disheartened Omiros is following me on his horse instead of riding in the carriage.

Can't you manage to get them to reconcile?

I think about it.

The best thing would be for Regina to want to leave Kroki, wouldn't it be better if she wanted to leave him?

Good, let's show Regena who Kroki really is. That way, Regena, who has grown attached to Kroki, may return to Omiros.

As I think about this, I feel something in the air.

'Stop the carriage.'

Kaya felt it, too, and made Ethigos stop the carriage.

'What's wrong, sir?'

The carriage suddenly stopped and Ethigos turned around to ask.

'Yes, Kaya?　What happened?

Kyouka-san also listens.

Kyouka-san doesn't have the ability to sense a presence, so she doesn't grasp the situation.

'Something is coming from ahead, Miss.

That being said, we look ahead.

Then a horse comes running from in front of us.

Omiros steps forward to protect us from the horse coming from in front.

'Omiros!!!'

A man on a horse calls Omiros' name.

'Macusis!　Riette!!!!

Omiros shouted to the figures on the horses.

There were two people on the horses. A man about our age and a little girl riding behind him.

'Lord Kaya. That is my clan, sir.

Omiros turned and waved his hand as he said this and headed towards the galloping horse.

'Wait!　They are not the only ones who are coming!

With that said, Kaya opened the carriage door and jumped out and ran towards the horse that was heading towards us.

Its movements are much faster than the horse Omiros rides.

''Huh?''

It was at that moment that the horse coming from the other side was approaching. The little girl on the horse makes a noise.

A shadow suddenly jumps out of the bushes beside that horse.

The shape of the shadow is a bipedal ant of the same size as a human. And there is more than one shadow. Multiple giant ants come flying out of the bushes beside it as well.

''Whoa!

'Kyah!

The two men on horseback scream.

The ants approach to attack the two men.

But Kaya is faster. A blue electric light lights up in the palm armor of both of Kaya's hands.

A blue lightning stone hand armor trumalinguistic robe. That's the name of the palm armor Kaya is equipped with.

The magical tourmaline attached to the knuckle heads of the cuirasses contains a lightning spirit, and it deals lightning damage with blows.

It is a magical armor that Kaya has recently acquired, and it is much more powerful than her previous equipment.

Kaya dives at the ants attacking the two of them and blows their heads off with her fist. Then he twists his body as it is and kicks the two ants on the other side, blowing them away.

And after a few seconds, the ants all stop moving.

'Awesome ......'

The man on the horse muttered. As I recall, Omiros called him Macusis.

'Riette!　Macusis!!!!

Omiros turns his horse toward the two men.

'Why are you here?'

Omiros asks them both.

'No, I'm fine with it, you know, Riette's guy ....... You're coming home later than usual, so I figured there must be something wrong with you. ......

Macusis says with a wry smile, looking at the girl behind the horse.

Apparently the two of them came to check on Omiros because he was slow. If that's the case, it's our fault. If it was just Omiros and Parsis, we would have been able to get back to Algoa much sooner.

'Thank you, Riette. I'm glad you were worried about me. ......

Omiros says and pats Riette on the head. Then Riette's mood gets a little bad.

And then puffed up and looked to the side.

...... I'm not worried about it. And don't treat me like a child.

He's not honest. But that's what was so cute about it.

”Oh, I'm sorry, Liette, ....... It's a habit. ...... I brought home a candy bar as a gift. Can't you cure my bad mood with this?

Saying that, Omiros takes something out of his pocket.

''Sweets!　Really?!

Riette's eyes sparkle. It's like she was in a bad mood earlier, but she's lying.

'Kobo.'

Kaya lets out a cough from the side as Omiros and Riette have a smiling exchange.

''Omiros-dono. Aren't you sure you don't want to introduce us to those people for good?

I guess I've had enough of waiting, Kaya interrupted.

'More, I'm sorry, Lord Kaya,'

Then Omiros bowed his head. His voice contained trepidation.

Riette also squeezes Macusis' back. He looks somewhat anxious.

Probably scared by the ease with which he defeated the ants.

I was also scared many times. It's good to have fewer men wooing me, but it's a little depressing when you're scared of a pretty girl like Riette.

Omiros brings the two of them to the front of the carriage.

'Kyouka-sama. These two are my cousin Macusis and her sister Riette.

Omiros introduces Kyouka in the carriage.

'Yes, it's nice to meet you,'

Kyouka looks out of the carriage.

'What? ...... beautiful. Who are you?

Riette can't help but admire it. Macusis seems to be admiring it too.

''Macusis, Liette. This is the hero-sama's sister, Kyouka-sama. As I recall, Shirone-sama over here has been to Argoa before.'

Omiros looks at me after introducing Kyouka and says

'You are the wife of a brave man ......'

Oh, it's true: ......

They seemed to remember me. I had never met the two of them in person.

''Then perhaps the brave man can visit ......

Riette says in a slightly frightened voice.

'No, the hero-sama did not come. The only ones who came were Kyouka-sama here, his attendant Kaya-dono and his wife Shirone.

A look of relief comes over Omiros' face when he says that. I wonder how much Reigi-kun is afraid of him.

'You two, say hello to Kyouka-sama.

At Omiros' urging, the two men hurriedly straighten up.

'Hi, my name is Macusis. Kyouka-sama.

'I'm Riette, Macusis's sister. ...... Huh?

Riette's eyes move towards a certain figure sitting at the back of the carriage as she greets him.

Out of the corner of her eye is Regina.

'Why ......'

Riette's expression changes.

'Why is Regina here!

Riette shouts with a look of anger on her face.

There's quite a bit of hostility in his voice. Honestly, it's not just a matter of time.

Macusis is also looking at Regena with a surprised expression.

''What do you mean, Omiros!　Why is Princess Regena here?

Macusis shouts, too.

His voice is confused. And although not as much as Riette, she doesn't seem to think too well of Regena.

'It's been a while, Riette and Macusis ....... I wouldn't have wanted to see you if I could.

Rigena says coldly from inside the carriage. But I think there's a bit of sorrow in her voice.

''How dare you show your face in front of me, Regena!　Because of you, your mother is ......

You can see tears in Riette's eyes as she says this.

”My family was killed because of you guys ....... Isn't it mutual?

You messed with me first!

I don't know. Is that a problem?

'Go back to Algore!　I'll send you to the goblin den again!

The two start arguing.

'Riette! Please stop this!　Rigena, calm down!

Omiros calms them down.

'Why, brother Omiros!　Why are you defending a woman like that!

Riette looks at Omiros with a tearful look on her face.

'Riette: ......'

Omiros can't speak as his eyes stare at him.

Silence dominates the scene.

'No, Riette,'

A few moments pass and Regena breaks the silence.

'What's the difference!'

Riette now glares at Regina.

'Omiros wasn't defending me. Think about it, Riette. Who I am under the protection of. If you mess with me, you'll end up like those Myrmidons over there.

Rijena says as she looks at the remains of the ant-man.

Riette's face goes pale.

'Yes. 'Omiros wasn't defending me, he was worried about you.'

Rigena says with a laugh. But that laugh was thirsty.

'Oh no, Regena ...... I am ......'

Omiros tries to say something to Regena's words.

But Regina doesn't care about that and looks at Kaya's direction.

You are right, gentlemen. You are now under our protection. If you do any harm, it will be considered a hostile act against us.

Kaya says to both Riette and Macusis.

Macusis and Liette's faces are tinted with fear.

There's something acrimonious about it. We have to do something here.

'Well, well, wait, wait, wait. 'Guys.'

I get out of the carriage.

Everyone's eyes go to me.

'Hey, I'm this ant-human. ...... There weren't any demons like this the last time I was here, were there? What is this?

I ask, approaching the remnants of the anthropoid to change the subject.

'Ant people?'　You mean Myrmidon? Come to think of it, how did it end up here?

It was Omiros who answered.

'Is this ant-man called a Myrmidon? Come to think of it, this Myrmidon seemed to be following you guys? What's going on?

Kaya asks them.

'No, I don't know ....... No, I don't know. I've never seen a Myrmidon before either.

Riette answers with a shake of her head.

'I ....... No, I've seen one in the past, but ....... Still, I've only seen one or two of them, and I've never seen so many myrmidons before.

Macusis replies. There are seven remnants of Myrmidons in the corner of Macusis's eye.

'So you're saying that these Myrmidons have suddenly appeared?　Where is the usual habitat of the Myrmidons?

Omiros shook his head at Kaya's words.

''I don't know ....... But according to the lore, when the Queen's castle in the Blue Forest appears, these myrmidons will appear in large numbers.

'Queen of the Blue Forest?　So that ogre woman is in the vicinity?

The Queen of the Blue Forest is supposed to be the woman who was the leader of the ogres that attacked Velos.

Apparently, she lives in the Blue Forest, which spreads throughout this area, and eats anyone who comes near her castle. I believe her name is Kujigu or something like that.

''But how did they know we were coming here?''

Kaya turns around and looks at Ethigos.

'Whoa!　I have nothing!

Ethigos replies with a shake of his head.

But Kaya approaches Ethigos without saying a word.

''Hee!''

Ethigos gets out of his seat and tries to escape.

Kaya is faster than him though.

Kaya grabs Ethigos by the collar.

'Don't worry. I won't kill you.

Kaya touched Ethigos' entire body as she stroked it.

'Um, what ......'

Ethigos stretches the bridge of his nose.

Kaya is quite beautiful. It would be nice to have someone like that gently touching your body.

But that can't be enough.

Kaya-san's hand stops around Echigoth's stomach.

”Hmph!

Kaya suddenly pushes Ethigos' stomach.

'Fuggaaaaah!

The pushed Ethigos suddenly begins to suffer.

'Aagaaga: ......'

Drool and foam spewed from Ethigos' mouth.

'Kyaaaaaah!